If you're a Michigan State fan, the start of the NCAA Tournament is your cue to find a way to sneak out of the office early this Thursday. The Spartans tip off their 2026 run at 4:05 p.m. against the 14-seed North Dakota State Bison. Tune in to TNT for the action, with commentary from Brian Anderson, Jim Jackson, and Allie LaForce.
Michigan State, a staple in March Madness with 28 consecutive appearances, enters as the No. 3 seed in the East Region. Their opponents, the Bison, are making their first tournament appearance since 2019, boasting a 27-7 record after dominating the Summit League.
Tom Izzo, the seasoned MSU head coach, reflected on the excitement of tournament time. "It's an exciting time," Izzo shared.
"I hope our fans and players still appreciate the magnitude of making it here. It's a big accomplishment."
While Izzo is still getting familiar with North Dakota State, he recognizes their strengths. Under head coach Dave Richman, with 11 seasons of experience, the Bison present a formidable challenge.
They're led by guard Damari Wheeler-Thomas, averaging 14.5 points, and they have a knack for shooting threes, averaging 25 attempts per game. Defensively, they're solid, allowing just 69 points on average and racking up 8.5 steals per game.
The East Region is packed with powerhouses. Duke holds the top seed, with Connecticut and Kansas also in the mix. The Spartans have already faced Duke this season, falling by six points, and had a preseason exhibition against Connecticut.
Last year, as a 2-seed, MSU made it to the Elite 8 before being ousted by Auburn, the No. 1 overall seed. Their journey included victories over Bryant and New Mexico in Cleveland, followed by a win against Mississippi in Atlanta before their exit.
This matchup against North Dakota State is just the beginning of what promises to be another thrilling tournament run for the Spartans.